I've read in other email threads that it's nice. I went to bidding4travel.com, searched on what people were paying for hotels around Ft. Lauderdale, then went on to priceline.com and bid a price of $39.99 for 9/13/03. I got a hotel at the airport, the Sheraton. It's not as close as the Amerisuites is to the ships, but it was a great price.

I stayed there. It was okay but not fabulous. It's not even close in quality to Embassy Suites, but its okay for a night's sleep. The Outback Restaurant is almost in the parking lot and there are a few others. Most of the nicer restaurants are a short cab ride away.
There are a couple of other Hotels just a block or two away that also have restaurants.

The only way on Priceline you could have gotten the Sheraton is by picking Ft. lauderdale airport. The only way to be sure of getting either a hotel like Embassy suites or Amerisuites close to the port, is by picking Ft lauderdale downtown only. 3 stars and bid of 65.00 for ES and 2 1/2 stars for 37.00 for Amerisuites. I bid the same way everytime and never fail.

Besides the Resturant mentioned, there is a shopping center right across the street and down toward the East a little. And in one corner of that center the most fabulous bagal place I have ever seen. Have more types of bagals than you would want to eat.....
Good for something different. But then you have a continental breakfast at Ameriasuites.....
Just thought I would mention it.

We stayed at the Amerisuites in March and it was just fine. We had a good meal at the Mexican restaurant right next door and we didn't have any trouble with the shuttle service to the pier the next morning! Have fun!!

We too have stayed at Amerisuites and eaten at the Mexican Restuarant in the strip mall after Embassy on 17th. As mentioned the pier shuttle can be intimidating, but just ask the driver when he expects to go to your ship, so you can gage whether you wish to try to get a taxi. It was hard for people who had a wedding on board a ship to even get a taxi to come to this hotel. The other nice thing, is the hotels are within a walking distance of the 17th St. bridge and the Intercoastal Waterway. It may be a good walk, but certainly not a hard walk with sidewalks and well traveled areas. For an upscale restaurant, try the 15th Street Fisheries which is right on the Intercoastal not far from the Marriott.
Bon Voyage